Flexible bag having a dispenser assembly

ABSTRACT

A container comprising a flexible bag and a dispenser apparatus. The flexible bag has walls and seals which cooperate to define a cavity. A spout is coupled to the walls and provides fluid communication with the cavity. The spout has an elongated opening terminating at an outer edge. The dispenser assembly has a cap member with a base and an outer rim hermetically sealed to the elongated opening proximate the outer edge. The cap member further has an elongated outlet extending from the base. The elongated outlet has an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface is in fluid communication with the elongated outlet. A hose member has a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. An inner elongated passage is defined by the hose member which terminates proximate the second end. The hose member is formed from a polymer which is saturated, such as an SEBS material. The first end of the hose member is stretched over at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated outlet of the cap member and biased thereagainst.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a flexible bag having a dispenserassembly, and more particularly, to a dispenser assembly which comprisesa hose member which is structurally configured for radiation treatment,without substantial degradation.

2. Background Art

The use of flexible bags for the dispensing of different types offlowable material is well known in the art. For example, commercialdairy dispensers utilize flexible bags having dispensing hoses coupledthereto. Initially, the distal end of the dispensing hose is crimped.The user places the flexible bag in a specialized rigid container whichincludes a handle that can collapse the hose to preclude dispensing.Once positioned, the user cuts the distal end of the hose. As the usermoves the handle, the hose is selectively collapsed and relaxed so as toselectively dispense flowable material contained in the flexible bag.

With the increasing requirement of aseptic filling of low acid productsfor extended shelf life, increasingly, containers are irradiated priorto filling. Such radiation of the containers has led to degradation ofvarious components, including, predominantly the dispensing hose.Specifically, the hose material tends to crack and degrade, especiallywhere the hose is stretched and coupled to the spout or a cap whichincludes the spout.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hose member whichis suitable for applications wherein irradiation is required.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hose memberwhich includes members to preclude the degradation of the hose materialupon irradiation.

These objects as well as other objects of the present invention willbecome apparent in light of the present specification, claims, anddrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a container. The container includes aflexible bag and a dispenser apparatus. The flexible bag has walls andseals which cooperate to define a cavity. A spout is coupled to thewalls and provides fluid communication with the cavity. The spout has anelongated opening terminating at an outer edge. The dispenser assemblyhas a cap member with a base and an outer rim hermetically sealed to theelongated opening proximate the outer edge. The cap member further hasan elongated outlet extending from the base. The elongated outlet has anouter surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface is in fluidcommunication with the elongated outlet. A hose member has a first endand a second end opposite of the first end. An inner elongated passageis defined by the hose member which terminates proximate the second end.The hose member is formed from a polymer which is saturated, such as anSEBS material. The first end of the hose member is stretched over atleast a portion of the outer surface of the elongated outlet of the capmember and biased thereagainst.

In a preferred embodiment, the hose member comprises a styrene ethylenebutylene styrene material.

In another such preferred embodiment, the hose member further comprisesat least one of a low density polyethylene (LDPE), co-polymers (such asethyl vinyl acetate, polyolefin elastomers (POE) and/or polyolefinplastomers (POP), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), homo or copolymer polypropylene (h or cPP), mineraloil, and stabilization additives. In any such embodiment, the styreneethylene butylene styrene material comprises at least 10% of the overallmaterial.

In another embodiment, a flowable material is positioned within thecavity. The flowable material comprises a dairy material, in such apreferred embodiment.

In another preferred embodiment, the hose member comprises an extrudedmember, the second end of which is crimped after extrusion.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a container.The container includes a flexible bag and a dispenser apparatus. Theflexible bag has walls and seals which cooperate to define a cavity. Aspout is coupled to the walls and provides fluid communication with thecavity. The spout has an elongated opening terminating at an outer edge.The dispenser assembly has a cap member with a base and an outer rimhermetically sealed to the elongated opening proximate the outer edge.The cap member further has an elongated outlet extending from the base.The elongated outlet has an outer surface and an inner surface whereinthe inner surface is in fluid communication with the elongated outlet. Ahose member has a first end and a second end opposite of the first end.An inner elongated passage is defined by the hose member whichterminates proximate the second end. The hose member includes means forminimizing the degradation of the hose material due to irradiationthereof. The first end of the hose member is stretched over at least aportion of the outer surface of the elongated outlet of the cap memberand biased thereagainst.

In one such embodiment, the degradation minimizing means includes theforming of the hose member of at least 10% of styrene ethylene butylenestyrene.

In another such embodiment, the degradation minimizing means comprises asaturated polymer comprising at least 10% of the material of the hosemember.

The invention further comprises a method of forming a containercomprising the steps of (a) providing a flexible bag defining a cavityand having a spout providing ingress into the cavity; (b) providing adispenser assembly having a cap member hermetically sealed to the spoutand a hose member coupled to the cap member and providing fluidcommunication with the cavity, wherein a second end of the hose memberis crimped; (c) irradiating the flexible bag and dispenser assembly; and(d) minimizing the degradation of the hose material due to irradiation.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of minimizing further comprises thestep of providing a hose member having at least 10% of a styreneethylene butylene styrene material.

In another preferred embodiment, the step of minimizing furthercomprises the step of providing a hose member having at least 10% of asaturated polymer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the container of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of the container of thepresent invention, showing, in particular, the spout and the dispenserapparatus; and

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional configuration of thecontainer of the present invention, showing, in particular, the spoutand the dispenser assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail aspecific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodimentillustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the containerof the present invention is shown generally at 10. The container isconfigured for the storage, transport and dispensing of flowablematerial. Typically, such containers are placed in an outer box or otherdispensing container. The flowable material may, for example, comprise adairy product, such as milk, cream, or dairy drink, without limitation.Of course, other materials, such as, other liquids, syrups, gels,suspensions and the like of varying viscosity are likewise contemplatedfor use. The invention is not particularly limited to any class or typeof flowable material.

More specifically, the container 10 includes flexible bag 12 anddispenser assembly 14. The flexible bag 12 includes a plurality of walls20 which includes outer surface 26 and inner surface 28. The pluralityof walls 20 are joined to each other with seals 22. The walls and theseals cooperate to define a substantially fluid tight cavity 25. In theembodiment shown, the flexible bag is typically referred to as a pillowcontainer and includes two walls which have seals extending about theouter periphery of the walls to define a substantially flat andrectangular configuration.

In other embodiments, a greater number of walls and seals may beutilized. For example, the walls and seals may define a shaped baghaving, for example, gusseted walls. In yet other embodiments, aplurality of walls can be formed from a combination of seals and folds,and certain walls may have seals extending thereacross. Indeed, theinvention is not limited to any particular shape of the flexible bag.

Additionally, it will be understood that the bag may be formed from anynumber of different materials. For example, the bag may be formed from asingle ply of material, or from multiple plies of material which arejoined at the seals. Each ply of material may comprise a singlesubstantially uniform material, or multiple different layers of materialwhich may be co-extruded or laminated together. Additionally, whilepolymer materials are contemplated, including blends thereof, additionalmetallized layers may be present in the material, as well as oxygenscavenging layers. Indeed, the material from which the flexible bag isformed is not intended to be limiting.

The flexible bag contemplated for use in association with the presentinvention may be of varying size. In certain embodiments, the flexiblebag may have a capacity of approximately five to thirty liters. Such arange of sizes is typical for use in association with commercial foodservice dispensers. Of course, other sizes are likewise contemplated,without limitation.

Spout 24 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 as comprising baseflange 30 and elongated opening 32 extending outwardly therefrom. Thebase flange includes top surface 37 and bottom surface 39. The top andbottom surfaces are substantially planar and define an outer flange edge35. It will be understood that an opening is positioned on one of thewalls 20. This opening corresponds to the elongated opening 32. Thespout is positioned about this opening such that one of the top surface37 and the bottom surface 39 is sealed to the wall immediatelysurrounding the opening.

In certain embodiments, the spout is positioned within the cavity 25 ofthe flexible bag and then the elongated opening is extended through theopening. Finally, the wall surrounding the opening is sealed to the topsurface 37 of the base flange. In other embodiments, the flange ispositioned on the outside of the flexible bag, and the area around theopening of the flexible bag is heat sealed to the bottom surface 39 ofthe base flange 30. In multi-ply environments, it is contemplated thatthe flange may be sealed to the inner layer or layers about the bottomsurface 39 and to the outer layer or layers about the top surface 37.

The elongated opening 32 of spout 24 further includes outer surface 31and inner surface 33. The two surfaces cooperate to define passage 61which is substantially uniform and of a predominantly circularcross-sectional configuration. Outer surface 31 includes a plurality ofcoupling flanges 36 which facilitate attachment to filling equipmentand/or outside structures typically found in dispensers. In certainembodiments, there may not be a coupling flange. The elongated opening32 typically terminates with outer edge 34 which includes one or both ofouter and inner flanges which are configured to receive and secure a capmember, such as cap member 40 with a hermetic seal. Certain othersolutions may include a plurality of threads which are formed on one ofthe inside or the outside surfaces 31, 33, respectively. These threadsare sized to matingly engage complementary threads positioned on a capmember.

While not required, the spout member is typically a molded polymermember made from a material which is compatible with the flexible bag.In other embodiments, the spout member can be formed from a plurality ofmembers which are snapped so as to trap a flexible bag therebetween. Insuch an embodiment, the materials may not be compatible and heatsealable to each other. One such structure is disclosed and claimed inU.S. Publication No. 2006/0110077 A1 entitled “Oxygen Impermeable Bag inBox Container and Method of Making,” assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention. The entire specification of the foregoing applicationis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Dispenser assembly 14 is shown as comprising cap member 40 and hosemember 50. The dispenser assembly 14 is configured for engagement withthe spout 24 of flexible bag 12. The cap member 40 includes base 44,outer rim 46 and elongated outlet 48. The base 44 is typically formed ina substantially planar configuration. The outer rim 46 is configured tohermetically engage the outer edge 34 of the elongated opening 32 of thespout 24. The elongated outlet extends outwardly from a central regionof the base 44. The elongated outlet 48 is typically of a substantiallycircular cross-section and concentric with the elongated opening 32. Theelongated outlet is generally of a diameter which is smaller than theelongated opening 32. Elongated outlet 48 includes outer surface 47 andinner surface 49. The surfaces cooperate to define a substantiallyuniform cross-sectional configuration for the elongated outlet.

Generally, the cap member comprises a molded member which is made from amaterial that is compatible with the spout 24 so as to insure a hermeticseal about outer edge 34. In certain embodiments, the spout memberextends substantially perpendicular to the base 44. In certainembodiments, the cap member and elongated outlet may comprise twoseparate components which are coupled together. One such example isshown in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0043113 entitled “Cap Assembly andContainer Used Therewith” also assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. The entire specification of the foregoing application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Hose member 50 includes first end 52 and second end 54. The hose memberhas an outside surface 56 and an inside surface 58 which cooperate todefine a substantially elongated passage with a circular cross-sectionalconfiguration. During formation, the hose member is crimped at thesecond end 54 so as to substantially seal the second end. The hosemember is typically extruded and cut to length.

The first end 52 is stretched over at least a portion of outer surface47 of the elongated outlet 48. Generally, the central bore is of asmaller dimension than the outer surface of the elongated outlet 48 suchthat once positioned, the hose is biased outwardly, thereby exerting aninward force against the elongated outlet. The outer surface of theelongated outlet is configured so as to resist the slippage of the hosemember thereagainst.

In use, one cuts the second end of the hose member 50 to eliminate theblocked second end 54 of the hose member. Thus, flowable material fromwithin the flexible bag can be freely directed through the hose member.Typically, a valve member or crimp member can be utilized to selectivelycrimp the hose from the outside along the length thereof.

Problematically, the material from which the hose member is typicallyformed includes a styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) material. While such amaterial has sufficient properties, there have been failures associatedwith the hose material when the hose material is exposed to radiation(commonly used during the packaging process). Such a material exhibitscracking and failure, especially proximate the stretched first end.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of a styrene ethylenebutylene styrene (SEBS) material for the hose member is structurallyconfigured to accept radiation without material degradation, even withirradiation in low acid aseptic applications (i.e., 3 to 5 Mrad, andbeyond). Other materials that are saturated (i.e., possessing no doublebonds) can be utilized as well with enhanced performance. Additionally,it is contemplated that low density polyethylene (LDPE), co-polymers(such as ethyl vinyl acetate, polyolefin elastomers (POE) and/orpolyolefin plastomers (POP),linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE),high density polyethylene (HDPE), homo or copolymer polypropylene (h orcPP), mineral oil, and stabilization additives may likewise beincorporated so long as the hose material contains (i.e., greater than10%) a SEBS material (typically SEBS is commercially available with theinclusion of stabilization additives and, for example, mineral oil).Essentially, the SEBS material forms a means for minimizing thedegradation of the hose material due to irradiation.

With dairy applications, it has been found that irriadiated hose membersof the present invention exhibit superior performance over SBS typehoses, and resist cracking after relatively high doses of radiation andafter conditions which simulate extended shelf life conditions.Furthermore, the hose member of the present invention is capable ofextrusion and end crimping during formation. Furthermore, degradation oftaste parameters has not been found with the use of the present hosemember.

In use, the flexible bag is first formed. In particular, a plurality ofwalls are provided and sealed by way of seals 20 to define cavity 25,for the retention of flowable material. Spout 24 is provided and coupledto one of the plurality of walls so as to provide fluid communicationwith cavity 25. In one embodiment, the seals may be formed through theapplication of heat, and the spout can be coupled to the walls with heatas well.

Next, the dispenser apparatus is formed. In particular, the cap memberis molded and the hose member is extruded and crimped. Once the hosemember is formed, the first end of the hose member is stretched and slidover the outer surface 47 of the elongated outlet 48 a desired distance.Typically, substantially all of the outer surface 47 is covered by thehose member 50 so as to maximize the interaction of the two components,thereby minimizing the tendency of the materials to separate.

Once coupled, the cap member is attached to the spout 24, wherein theattachment forms a hermetic seal. The flexible bag and dispenserapparatus are then irradiated. Depending on the application, theflexible bag and dispenser apparatus may be irradiated with more than 5Mrads (while not limited thereto). Once irradiated, the bag can befilled in filling equipment which precludes the contamination of thecavity 25 after irradiation.

The filled container is then ready for transport dispensing anddiscarding. The particular configuration of the hose member facilitatesthe use of the container with low acid applications and for productswhich require an extended shelf life.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

1. A container comprising: a flexible bag having at least two walls andseals which cooperate to define a cavity, and a spout coupled to atleast one of the two walls, the spout providing fluid communication withthe cavity defined by the at least two walls and the seals, the spouthaving an elongated opening terminating at an outer edge; a dispenserassembly having a cap member having a base with an outer rimhermetically sealed to the elongated opening proximate the outer edge,the cap member further having an elongated outlet extending from thebase, the elongated outlet having an outer surface and an inner surfacewherein the inner surface is in fluid communication with the elongatedoutlet, and a hose member having a first end and a second end oppositeof the first end, a inner elongated passage is defined by the hosemember which terminates proximate the second end, the hose member isformed from a polymer which is saturated, the first end thereof isstretched over at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongatedoutlet of the cap member and biased thereagainst.
 2. The container ofclaim 1 wherein the hose member comprises a styrene ethylene butylenestyrene material.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein the hose memberfurther comprises at least one of a that low density polyethylene(LDPE), co-polymers (such as ethyl vinyl acetate, polyolefin elastomers(POE) and/or polyolefin plastomers (POP), linear low densitypolyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), homo orcopolymer polypropylene (h or cPP), mineral oil, and stabilizationadditives, wherein the styrene ethylene butylene styrene materialcomprises at least 10% of the overall material.
 4. The container ofclaim 1 wherein a flowable material is positioned within the cavity, theflowable material comprises a dairy material.
 5. The container of claim1 wherein the hose member comprises an extruded member, the second endof which is crimped after extrusion.
 6. A container comprising: aflexible bag having at least two walls and seals which cooperate todefine a cavity, and a spout coupled to at least one of the two walls,the spout providing fluid communication with the cavity defined by theat least two walls and the seals, the spout having an elongated openingterminating at an outer edge; a dispenser assembly having a cap memberhaving a base with an outer rim hermetically sealed to the elongatedopening proximate the outer edge, the cap member further having anelongated outlet extending from the base, the elongated outlet having anouter surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface is in fluidcommunication with the elongated outlet, and a hose member having afirst end and a second end opposite of the first end, a inner elongatedpassage is defined by the hose member which terminates proximate thesecond end, the hose member including means for minimizing thedegradation of the hose material due to irradiation thereof, and thehose member is stretched over at least a portion of the outer surface ofthe elongated outlet of the cap member and biased thereagainst.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 6 wherein the degradation minimizing means includesthe forming of the hose member of at least 10% of styrene ethylenebutylene styrene.
 8. The container of claim 6 wherein the degradationminimizing means comprises a saturated polymer comprising at least 10%of the material of the hose member.
 9. A method of forming a containercomprising: providing a flexible bag defining a cavity and having aspout providing ingress into the cavity; providing a dispenser assemblyhaving a cap member hermetically sealed to the spout and a hose membercoupled to the cap member and providing fluid communication with thecavity, wherein a second end of the hose member is crimped; irradiatingthe flexible bag and dispenser assembly; and minimizing the degradationof the hose material due to irradiation.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein the step of minimizing further comprises the step of providing ahose member having at least 10% of a styrene ethylene butylene styrenematerial.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of minimizingfurther comprises the step of providing a hose member having at least10% of a saturated polymer.